To make good on my promise, for those who purchased both the Kindle version, as well as the print version by February 15, 2012, I will send you a signed copy of the book, on the (Good) Badger. E-mail me both of your receipts at theGoodBadger@gmail.com, and I will dedicate your book in any way you like (I’m a pretty good artist. And when I say good, I mean laughably bad. I’m the Nickleback of artists. But some people like Nickleback. Those who don’t, can at least laugh at them. That’s the equivalent of my artistic ability.)

For those who may have noticed, the Amazon sell page isn’t completely filled out yet. Apparently that takes a few days (Amazon’s doing, not mine). Eventually, all of you fine folks who left wonderful reviews for the e-book version (by the way, THANK YOU), will show up on this page as well. Again, you are doing me a huge favor by doing this. I’m sincerely truly, truly grateful for all the wonderful words you guys have left thus far. To be clear, I would never ask you to leave a dishonest review. Appalachian Trials only wants to earn your 5-star review.

I’ve consumed a lot of coffee so I’m going to continue to ramble. Feel free to jump ship to the Appalachian Trail bookpage whenever you want.

So some of you may be wondering why the reviews matter so much?

Honesty = Best policy.

Aside from being a heavy ranking factor in Amazon’s search algorithm, it’s what fellow Amazon shoppers use as their gauge for making a purchase. I will paint out each of the following scenarios for you:

Scenario 1 – Only a few reviews: Badger gets few reviews on his book revealing a mixed opinion on quality. Some think it’s garbage. Some think it’s compost (which is only slightly better than garbage). Appalachian Trials dies in its tracks. Zach’s aspirations to become a word writer on published paper dies along with it. He’s forced into the only other career path available to him (eye brow model: see intro picture).

Zach has many great years flexing his forehead muscles on the catwalk and on prominent billboards, but his true passion for life, expressing the insanity that lies behind the eyebrows, never gets fulfilled. He grows bitter and recklessly decids to spend all of his eyebrow wealth on purchasing the first HondaCopter (Honda’s first car/helicopter hybrid). Because Zach is impatient, he arrogantly believes he can fly his HondaCopter without formal training. Turns out he can. Right into a tree. Zach survives, but must spend the next half year in a hospital bed. The nurse brings him some reading material to help pass the time. It’s the latest New York Times Best Seller – Pacific Unrest – A Psychological guide to hiking the PCT.

NOOOO!!!!!!!

Scenario 2 – Lots of happy reviews: Zach makes a modest living talking about HondaCopters and making lots of awesome new friends in the process. The end.

It’s up to you.

But in all sincerity. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank youfor everything thus far. You don’t have to do anything, I’m already indefinitely grateful for all of the support I’ve gotten. You guys have made this an insanely fun journey. Without you, I would be a paralyzed eyebrow model.

Thank you.

Also, I would like to give special thanks to the following people. Without you, this book would either not exist or exist in a much shittier fashion.

Co-Editor: Michele Weiner-Davis

Some may refer to you as the best-selling author of Divorce Busting, I of course, refer to you as “mom.” Although we often did not see eye-to-eye on this process, you refused to quit on me- even when I was an intolerable ass (see: often). Thank you. I love you.

Co-Editor: B. Hanson MacDonald

B- to put it bluntly, you are fucking amazing. Not only did you make this book a much, much, much, much more polished version than the one I handed you, but your consistently kind feedback and passion for this project fed right back onto me. You deserve so much credit in this. Thank you!!!

Cover Design: Paula Murphy

Paula, flat out, you’re a genius. You too had to put up with my volatile mind-changing antics, but in the end, the finished product is one that makes me very proud. I hope you feel the same. For those looking for some highly professional and creative design work, PLEASE check out: branditarians.com

Website Design (coming soon): Adam Nutting

Although you haven’t seen it yet, we have a new website for the book coming out very shortly. It was designed by Founder of Hiking the Trail, Adam Nutting. Adam gets shit done. Adam is a great support. Adam is a great guy. Thank you for everything thus far Adam! (side note: more big news coming out of the new site – stay posted!)

Contributors: Ian Mangiardi, Aubby Duggan, and Miss Janet Henley

Ian- I’m done talking about you. The only name that exists in the book more than my own, is yours. I kid. You are a living manifestation of benevolence. Without your help, it is quite likely I would have joined the 70% of hikers who fall short of Katadhin. Without your help this book wouldn’t be possible. Thank you. (Side note: check out Ian’s site The Dusty Camel. He has an amazing PCT documentary coming out later this year – I got a sneak peak.)

Aubby (Cayenne) Duggan – Your story adds an emotional layer to this book that would otherwise be missing, but even aside from that, I am truly glad our paths crossed on the trail. I am very proud of you for sticking to your goal. You are a badass and a kind soul. Thank you.

Miss Janet – It is spirits like you that make the AT the surreal experience that it is. Aside from the wonderful words of wisdom you offer in this book, the countless others that you help along the AT makes you a trail angel in every sense of the word. Thank you.

By clicking here, I acknowledge that I will be linked to the greatest Appalachian Trail book ever written.

Last note, this book is written for:

Aspiring thru-hikers

Those on the fence about hiking the AT

Those who want to know what goes on inside of the head of an AT-thru-hiker

Those following loved ones on the trail.

Those looking for inspiration to accomplish a major accomplishment in their life

Although the book will make you laugh (I hope), it is by no means a comedy. It is also not a “Zach Davis hikes the Appalachian Trail“, although there are stories about my hike. The most accurate description is the book’s subtitle: A Psyschological and Emotional Guide to Successfully Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail. If you’ve enjoyed this website, you will enjoy the book, but I wanted to be clear about our expectations here.

Honestly Zach, this is ah-may-zing! Congrats x infinity! I can’t believe a year ago you were introducing us (or me at least) to this 6 month hike (which to be frank, I thought was ridiculously crazy and known to about 5 ppl in the world + you) and posting videos about your inability to pitch a tent. Now not only are you done, but you even wrote a book about it all. I truly hope you realize what an amazing accomplishment this is & how inspirational you are. The ‘wonderful author’ compliment will have to wait until I’ve had a chance to remember what ‘reading for pleasure’ is like…
Congrats again 🙂

hendrik

Hey Zach! Any idea when (or if) this book is going to be available internationally as a print version?

I received your book with help from Adam Nutting and am SO glad I did! It even came signed which is an added plus in my book. I dream of doing a thru-hike on the AT and am seriously considering this for March, 2013….having just completed the approach trail/overnight camping on Springer, I can already personally vouch for the fact that the thoughts you say will go thru a hiker’s head actually DO! I must be on the right track cause my sister just told me yesterday that as we trudged on to the summit, she got mad at me because I had such a good attitude. Ha! I’ve always said that’s half the battle. I am looking forward to more reading..and yes, I did stop and make my lists while you hummed your Ace of Base songs. Thanks for sharing your experience!